1984 BMW 318

Tiny
PRIMITIVE PETE
  • MEMBER
  • 1984 BMW 318
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I have a 84 318i. I was driving it daily then one day it simply would not start. It turns over and occasionally starts but only runs about 10 secs. Then cuts off like it ran out of gas. I have replaced fuel regulator, throttle pos. Sensor, plugs, wires, dist. Cap and rotor.I m thinking primary fuel pump but I dont know how to check it. After trying to start 2-3 times it quits trying to start and just turns over. I can let it sit for a while then try again it will try to start maybe even start but ultimately cut itself off.
Saturday, April 19th, 2008 AT 8:04 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Try a tap test (gently tapping to jar a unit on the brink) on the PCM and the ICU, independently.

Check the ground strap from the battery to the engine to make sure it isn't broken.

You need to know what you are losing spark, fuel?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_bmw_2.jpg

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Saturday, April 19th, 2008 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
Will the car stay running when you spray carb clean in the intake? The fuel pumps on those cars are very robust and if they fail, they usually do so in a catastrophic fashion, which is to say they just stop working. Also, the wiring harnesses in the engine compartment have been known to ground out, usually at the area where the harness is attached to the fuel rail, be careful when inspecting.
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Sunday, April 20th, 2008 AT 9:20 AM
Tiny
ELI VATER
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  • 1 POST
Did any of this advice help? My 318 is having the same issue. I Some days I can get it to run for a few minutes and other days, nothing but it turning over. I think it may be the piston rings or fuel injectors, but these ideas help me too.
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Sunday, November 29th, 2009 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
60'S CHILD
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  • 4 POSTS
I own a 318 of the year model, bought well used, and it has but me on the side of the road a few times. Check to see how well the plugin at the thermodine senser is doing. A bad connection here was the cause of my problem.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 AT 9:44 AM

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